Light controlling method for displaying a three-dimensional image and display apparatus for performing the method

ABSTRACT

A method for displaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) image, wherein the method includes; sequentially displaying a left frame image corresponding to a left eye and a right frame image corresponding to a right eye on a display panel, blocking a light provided to a display block of the display panel when the display block displays a mixed image which includes a left eye image of the left frame image corresponding to the left eye and a right eye image of the right frame image corresponding to the right eye, and providing the light to the display block of the display panel when the display block displays only one of the left eye image and the right eye image.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/610,446, filed on Nov. 2, 2009, which claims priority to KoreanPatent Application No. 2009-47968, filed on Jun. 1, 2009, and all thebenefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the content of whichin its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a method fordisplaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) image, and a display apparatus forperforming the method. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention relate to a method for displaying a 3D image capableof improving display quality, and a display apparatus for performing themethod.

2. Description of the Related Art

As demand for three-dimensional (“3D”) images in computer games, movies,etc. has increased, the interest in 3D image display apparatusesdisplaying the 3D images has also increased.

A 3D image display apparatus displays a left image for a left eye and aright image for a right eye, the left image and the right image havingbinocular disparity, so that the left and right images are shown to theleft eye and the right eye of an observer, respectively. The observerrespectively sees the left image for the left eye and the right imagefor the right eye with the left eye and the right eye, respectively, andthe observer's brain interprets the left image and the right image toperceive a 3D effect.

Typical 3D image display apparatuses may be classified as using either aglasses method or a non-glasses method in order to display a 3D image.The non-glasses method may include a parallax barrier method or alenticular method. The non-glasses method may allow the 3D image to beseen without glasses, however observation positions may be detrimentallylimited. Accordingly, the non-glasses method has a limitation in that aplurality of observers may not simultaneously be able to perceive a 3Deffect of high quality.

Alternatively, the glasses method may typically include an anaglyphmethod using blue and red glasses for the left and the right eyes,respectively (or vice versa), or a liquid crystal shutter glassesmethod, in which a time-divisional screen is repeated at a certaininterval and glasses having liquid crystal shutters synchronized withthe interval are used. The 3D image display apparatus employing theliquid crystal shutter glasses method alternately displays the leftimage for the left eye and the right image for the right eye, andembodies the 3D image by opening and closing the liquid crystal shuttersattached to the liquid crystal shutter glasses in accordance with adisplayed image; thereby an image displayed by the display apparatus maybe alternately viewed by the left eye and the right eye, depending onthe activation of the liquid crystal shutter glasses.

When an image displayed on the display panel is converted from the leftimage for the left eye to the right image for the right eye or from theright image for the right eye to the left image for the left eye, theimage is sequentially converted from top to bottom in a linear manner.When a mixed image including the left image and right image is displayedon the display panel, crosstalk is generated in an area in which themixed image is displayed and the quality of the 3D display isdeteriorated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method fordisplaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) image capable of improving displayquality.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a displayapparatus for performing the method.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor displaying a 3D image includes; sequentially displaying a left frameimage corresponding to a left eye and a right frame image correspondingto a right eye on a display panel, blocking a light provided to adisplay block of the display panel when the display block displays amixed image including a left eye image of the left frame imagecorresponding to the left eye and a right eye image of the right frameimage corresponding the right eye, and providing the light to thedisplay block of the display panel when the display block displays onlyone of the left eye image and the right eye image.

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, adisplay apparatus includes; a display panel which includes a pluralityof display blocks, wherein the plurality of display blocks sequentiallydisplay a left frame image corresponding to a left eye and a right frameimage corresponding to a right eye, and a light source module whichincludes a plurality of light-emitting blocks, wherein the plurality oflight-emitting blocks selectively emit a light provided to the pluralityof display blocks and wherein at least one of the light-emitting blocksdoes not emit a light to a display block of the display panel when thedisplay block displays a mixed image including a left eye image of theleft frame image corresponding to the left eye and a right eye image ofthe right frame image corresponding to the right eye and which providesthe light to the display block of the display panel when the displayblock displays only one of the left eye image and the right eye image.

According to the present invention, a light-emitting block is turned offcorresponding to the display block displaying the mixed image includingthe left eye image and the right eye image, so that crosstalk caused bythe mixed image may be prevented. Accordingly, the display quality of a3D image may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent by describing in detailed example embodimentsthereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of adisplay apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of thedisplay apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of theimage processing part of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary embodimentsof various light source modules of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5A to 5F are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a method for displaying a three-dimensional (“3D”) imageusing the exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus of FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplaryembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention tothose skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed asecond element, component, region, layer or section without departingfrom the teachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of thepresent invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood thatthe terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein withreference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematicillustrations of idealized example embodiments (and intermediatestructures) of the present invention. As such, variations from theshapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturingtechniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exampleembodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limitedto the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are toinclude deviations in shapes that result, for example, frommanufacturing. For example, an implanted region illustrated as arectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or agradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binarychange from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried regionformed by implantation may result in some implantation in the regionbetween the buried region and the surface through which the implantationtakes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematicin nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actualshape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “suchas”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does notpose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwiseclaimed. No language in the specification should be construed asindicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of theinvention as used herein.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of adisplay apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display apparatus includes a display panelmodule 200, a polarization panel module 300, a light source module 400and polarization glasses 500.

The display panel module 200 sequentially displays a left eye imagecorresponding to a left eye and a right eye image corresponding to aright eye. For example, the display panel module 200 has a framefrequency of about 120 Hz, and sequentially displays a right frame imageafter displaying a left frame image in a repeating pattern. In oneexemplary embodiment, the display panel module 200 may include aplurality of display blocks, or in an alternative exemplary embodimentthe display panel module 200 includes a single display block.

The polarization panel module 300 includes a plurality of segments S1, .. . , Sn (wherein n is a natural number). The polarization panel module300 is driven in one of a first polarization mode and a secondpolarization mode. The first polarization mode has a first polarizationaxis 311 and the second polarization mode has a second polarization axis313. In one exemplary embodiment the first polarization axis and thesecond polarization axis are substantially perpendicular to one another.Each of the segments S1, . . . , Sn is sequentially driven along ascanning direction SD that corresponds to a displaying direction of animage on the display panel module 200, e.g., the scanning direction SDand a displaying direction of an image on the display panel module 200are substantially parallel. For example, in one exemplary embodimentwhen the left frame image is displayed on the display panel module 200,the polarization panel module 300 is driven in the first polarizationmode having the first polarization axis 311. According to such anexemplary embodiment, when the right frame image is displayed on thedisplay panel module 200, the polarization panel module 300 is driven inthe second polarization mode having the second polarization axis 313. Inone exemplary embodiment, the second polarization axis 313 has a phasedifference of about λ/2 with respect to the first polarization axis 311.

The light source module 400 includes a plurality of light-emittingblocks B1, . . . , Bn (wherein n is a natural number). Thelight-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn are arranged in the scanningdirection SD that corresponds to a direction an image is displayed onthe display panel module 200. The light-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bnare turned on or off according to an image displayed on the displaypanel module 200. For example, in one exemplary embodiment wherein amixed image which includes the left eye image and the right eye image isdisplayed on a display block of the display panel module 200, thelight-emitting block corresponding to the display block is turned off.When only the left eye image or the right eye image is displayed on thedisplay block of the display panel module 200, the light-emitting blockcorresponding to the display block is turned on.

The polarization glasses 500 include a left lens part 511 and a rightlens part 513. The left lens part 511 includes a first polarization film511 a having the first polarization axis 311 and a first shutter 511 b.The right lens part 513 includes a second polarization film 513 a havingthe second polarization axis 313 and a second shutter 513 b. Although anexemplary embodiment wherein the polarization glasses 500 are shown withthe polarization films 511 a and 513 a disposed closer to eyes of anobserver than the shutters 511 b and 513 b is shown in FIG. 1,alternative exemplary embodiments include configurations wherein theproximity of the components to the eyes of the observer is reversed.

The polarization glasses 500 are driven based on the left frame imageand the right frame image displayed on the display panel module 200. Forexample, in one exemplary embodiment, when the left frame image isdisplayed on the display panel module 200, the polarization panel module300 is driven in the first polarization mode transmitting light having alight axis that is the same as the first polarization axis 311. In thiscase, the first shutter 511 b of the polarization glasses 500 is openedand the second shutter 513 b of the polarization glasses 500 is closed,so that the observer views the left eye image through the left lens part511.

As described above, when the right frame image is displayed on thedisplay panel module 200, the polarization panel module 300 is driven inthe second polarization mode transmitting light having a lightpolarization axis that is substantially the same as the secondpolarization axis 313. In this case, the second shutter 513 b of thepolarization glasses 500 is opened and the first shutter 511 b of thepolarization glasses 500 is closed, so that the observer views the righteye image through the right lens part 513.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the exemplary embodiment of adisplay apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating anexemplary embodiment of an image processing part of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the display apparatus includes an imageprocessing part 100, an infrared generating part 190, the display panelmodule 200, the polarization panel module 300 and the light sourcemodule 400.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the image processing part 100includes a data separator 110, a scaler 130 and a timing controller 150.The data separator 110 receives a 3D frame image from an external sourceand separates the 3D frame image into the left frame image and the rightframe image. For example, in one exemplary embodiment the data separator110 has a frame frequency of about 60 Hz and receives the 3D frameimage. The scaler 130 converts resolutions of the left eye image and theright eye image into a resolution of the display panel module 200.Alternative exemplary embodiments include configurations wherein thescaler 130 is omitted.

The timing controller 150 sequentially outputs the left frame image andthe right frame image (“DATA”) having the converted resolution at aframe frequency higher than that of the data separator 110. For example,in the exemplary embodiment wherein the scaler 130 outputs a signalhaving a frequency of about 60 Hz, the timing controller 150sequentially outputs the left frame image and the right frame imagehaving the converted resolution to the display panel module 200 at theframe frequency of about 120 Hz.

The timing controller 150 controls a driving timing of each of theinfrared generating part 190, the display panel module 200, thepolarization panel module 300 and the light source module 400. Forexample, in one exemplary embodiment the timing controller 150 providesthe infrared generating part 190 with an infrared control signal 100 i,the timing controller 150 provides the display panel module 200 with adata control signal 100 d, the timing controller 150 provides a gatecontrol signal 100 g, the timing controller provides the polarizationpanel module 300 with a polarization control signal 100 p, and thetiming controller provides the light source module 400 with a lightsource control signal 100 e.

The infrared generating part 190 generates an infrared signal inresponse to the infrared control signal 100 i. Thus, the polarizationglasses 500 receive the infrared signal and drive the first and secondshutters 511 b and 513 b in response to the infrared signal.

The display panel module 200 includes a display panel 210 and a displaydriving part 250. The display panel 210 includes a plurality of pixelscorresponding to the resolution of the display, e.g., if the display hasa resolution of 1920×1080 the display includes at least about 2,073,600pixels, and displays the frame image. The plurality of pixels may bedivided into a plurality of display blocks I1, I2, . . . , In. In oneexemplary embodiment, the display blocks are formed as rows extendingsubstantially parallel to the gate line GL, although alternativeexemplary embodiments include other configurations for the displayblocks. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of pixelsincludes a switching element TR connected to a data line DL and a gateline GL disposed substantially perpendicular to the data line DL, aliquid crystal capacitor CLC and a storage capacitor CST. Alternativeexemplary embodiments include configurations wherein the storagecapacitor CST may be omitted.

The display driving part 250 includes a data driving part 230 and a gatedriving part 240. The data driving part 230 outputs the frame image tothe data lines of the display panel 210 by applying a plurality of datasignals to a plurality of data lines DL based on the data control signal100 d. Exemplary embodiments of the data control signal 100 d mayinclude a dot clock signal, a data enable signal, a horizontalsynchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal, an inversionsignal, and other similar signals.

The gate driving part 240 sequentially outputs the gate signals to thegate lines GL of the display panel 210 based on the gate control signal100 g. Therefore, the plurality of data signals are sequentially appliedto a row of pixels connected to a gate line GL which receives an “on”gate signal. Exemplary embodiments of the gate control signal 100 g mayinclude a first clock signal, a second clock signal, a vertical statesignal, and other similar signals.

The polarization panel module 300 includes a polarization panel 310 anda polarization driving part 350. The polarization panel 310 includes aplurality of segments S1, . . . , Sn. As shown in FIG. 2, in oneexemplary embodiment the plurality of segments S1, . . . , Sn may behorizontal segments extending across substantially the entirepolarization panel 310, thereby dividing the polarization panel 310 intoa plurality of rows, although alternative exemplary embodiments may haveother configurations.

The polarization driving part 350 individually drives the segments S1, .. . , Sn with the first polarization mode or the second polarizationmode based on the polarization control signal 100 p. Each of thesegments S1, . . . , Sn corresponds to k (wherein k is a natural number)gate lines. A first segment S1 corresponds to first to (k)-th gatelines, a second segment S2 corresponds to (k+1)-th to (2k)-th gatelines, and so forth until an (n)-th segment Sn corresponds to ((n−1)k+1)-th to (nk)-th gate lines. For example, in one exemplary embodiment,when first to (k)-th gate signals are applied to the first to (k)-thgate lines corresponding to the first segment S1 and the left eye imageis displayed on a first display block I1 corresponding to the firstsegment S1, the polarization driving part 350 drives the first segmentS1 with the first polarization mode. Additionally in such an exemplaryembodiment, when the first to (k)-th gate signals are applied to thefirst to (k)-th gate lines and the right eye image is displayed on thefirst display block I1, the polarization driving part 350 drives thefirst segment S1 with the second polarization mode.

The light source module 400 includes a light source unit 410 and a lightsource driving part 450. The light source unit 410 includes a pluralityof light-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn. In one exemplary embodimenteach of the plurality of light-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn extendshorizontally across the light source module 400, although alternativeexemplary embodiments include configurations wherein the light-emittingblocks B1, . . . , Bn have other arrangements. In one exemplaryembodiment, the number of the light-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn maybe substantially the same number as that of the segments S1, . . . , Sn.In the present exemplary embodiment, the first light-emitting block B1corresponds to a first display block I1, a second light-emitting blockB2 corresponds to a second display block I2, and so forth until an(n)-th light-emitting block Bn corresponds to an (n)-th display blockIn.

The light source driving part 450 individually drives the light-emittingblocks B1, . . . , Bn based on the light source control signal 100 e.The light source driving part 450 turns on or off each of thelight-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn according to an image displayed oneach of the display blocks I1, . . . , In. For example, in one exemplaryembodiment, when one of the left eye image and the right eye image isdisplayed on the first display block I1, the light source driving part450 turns on the first light-emitting block B1. Additionally, when themixed image including the left eye image and the right eye image isdisplayed on the first display block I1, the light source driving part450 turns off the first light-emitting block B1.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams illustrating various exemplaryembodiments of light source modules 400 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4A, the light source module 400A includes aplurality of light-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn. In the exemplaryembodiment of a light source module 400A of FIG. 4A, each of thelight-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn includes at least one lamp 411.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4B, the light source module 400B includes aplurality of light-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn. In the exemplaryembodiment of a light source module 400A of FIG. 4B, each of thelight-emitting blocks B1, . . . , Bn includes a plurality oflight-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) 412.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4C, the light source module 400 includes alight guide plate (“LGP”) 418 and at least one edge light-emitting unit.The at least one edge light-emitting unit is disposed adjacent to anedge of the LGP 418. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a firstedge light-emitting unit 414 is disposed adjacent to a first edge of theLGP 418, and includes a plurality of first light-emitting blocks B11, .. . , B1n. A second edge light-emitting unit 416 is disposed adjacent toa second edge opposite to the first edge of the LGP 418 and includes aplurality of second light-emitting blocks B21, . . . , B2n. In such anexemplary embodiment, the first light-emitting blocks B11, . . . , B1nare individually driven by the light source driving part 450, and thesecond light-emitting blocks B21, . . . , B2n are synchronized with adriving timing of the first light-emitting blocks B11, . . . , B1n. Inone exemplary embodiment, each of the light-emitting blocks B11, . . . ,B1n, B21, . . . , B2n includes at least one LED 412. Alternativeexemplary embodiments of the light source module 400C may comprise oneedge light-emitting unit, three edge light-emitting units or four edgelight-emitting units.

FIGS. 5A to 5F are schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplaryembodiment of a method for displaying a 3D image using the displayapparatus of FIG. 1. Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the displayapparatus having four light-emitting blocks and four segments will bedescribed for clarity of description, although alternative exemplaryembodiments may include a greater or lesser number of light-emittingblocks and segments.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5A, when the right eye image is displayed on anentire area of the display panel 210, e.g., on all display blocks I1through I4, first, second, third and fourth segments S1, S2, S3 and S4of the polarization panel 310 are driven in the second polarization modecorresponding to the right eye image. For example, in one exemplaryembodiment, when the polarization panel 310 is turned off, thepolarization panel 310 is driven in the second polarization mode.

At such a time, the first, second, third and fourth light-emittingblocks B1, B2, B3 and B4 of the light source unit 410 are all turned on.When the right eye image is displayed on the first, second, third andfourth display blocks I1, I2, I3 and I4, the first, second, third andfourth light-emitting blocks B1, B2, B3 and B4 respectivelycorresponding to the first, second, third and fourth display blocks I1,I2, I3 and I4, are turned on.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5B, when the right eye image displayed on thedisplay panel 210 is converted into the left eye image, the mixed imageincluding the right eye image corresponding to a previous frame and theleft eye image corresponding to a present frame is displayed on thefirst display block I1, and the right eye image corresponding to theprevious frame is displayed on the second, third and fourth displayblocks I2, I3 and I4. This is due to the scanning of the gate lines GLand the data lines DL on the display panel module 200 where the gatelines GL are sequentially scanned in the direction of the first displayblock I1 to the last display block I4; essentially new frame images areoverwritten over a previous frame image starting from top to bottom andtherefore image information corresponding to both a current and previousframe may be simultaneously displayed on the display panel module 200during a scanning period.

The first segment S1 of the polarization panel 310 is driven in thefirst polarization mode corresponding to the left eye image of thepresent frame, and the second, third and fourth segments S2, S3 and S4are driven in the second polarization mode corresponding to the righteye image of the previous frame. The first segment S1 driven in thefirst polarization mode polarizes the mixed image including the righteye image and the left eye image. For example, in one exemplaryembodiment when the polarization panel 310 is turned on, thepolarization panel 310 is driven in the first polarization mode, andwhen the polarization panel 310 is turned off, the polarization panel310 is driven in the second polarization mode, as described brieflyabove.

In such an exemplary embodiment, the first light-emitting block B1 ofthe light source unit 410 is turned off. That is, the light sourcedriving part 450 turns off (OFF) the first light-emitting block B1corresponding to the first display block I1 displaying the mixed imageincluding the left eye image and the right eye image. The light sourcedriving part 450 turns on (ON) the second, third and fourthlight-emitting blocks B2, B3 and B4. Therefore, light is not transmittedthrough the first segment S1 so that the observer may not be able toview the mixed image displayed on the first display block I1. Thereby,crosstalk caused by the mixed image including the left eye image and theright eye image may be prevented and display quality may be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5C, the left eye image of the present frame isdisplayed on the first display block I1, the mixed image including theleft eye image of the present frame and the right eye image of theprevious frame is displayed on the second display block I2.Additionally, the right eye image of the previous frame is displayed onthe third and fourth display blocks I3 and I4.

The first and second segments S1 and S2 of the polarization panel 310are driven in the first polarization mode corresponding to the left eyeimage, and the third and fourth segments S3 and S4 are driven in thesecond polarization mode corresponding to the right eye image. Thesecond segment S2 driven in the first polarization mode polarizes themixed image including the right eye image and the left eye image.

At this time, the second light-emitting block B2 of the light sourceunit 410 is turned off. That is, the light source driving part 450 turnsoff (OFF) the second light-emitting block B2 corresponding to the seconddisplay block I2 displaying the mixed image including the left eye imageand the right eye image; the turning off of the light-emitting block mayalso be referred to as blocking light from the light-emitting block. Thelight source driving part 450 turns on (ON) the first, third and fourthlight-emitting blocks B1, B3 and B4. Therefore, light is not transmittedthrough the second segment S2 so that the so that the observer may notbe able to view the mixed image of the second display block I2. Thereby,crosstalk caused by the mixed image including the left eye image and theright eye image may be prevented and display quality may be improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5D, the left eye image of the present frame isdisplayed on the first and second display blocks I1 and I2, the mixedimage including the left eye image of the present frame and the righteye image of the previous frame is displayed on the third display blockI3. Additionally, the right eye image of the previous frame is displayedon the fourth display block I4.

The first, second and third segments S1, S2 and S3 of the polarizationpanel 310 are driven in the first polarization mode corresponding to theleft eye image, and the fourth segment S4 are driven in the secondpolarization mode corresponding to the right eye image. The thirdsegment S3 driven in the first polarization mode polarizes the mixedimage including the right eye image and the left eye image.

At this time, the third light-emitting block B3 of the light source unit410 is turned off. That is, the light source driving part 450 turns off(OFF) the third light-emitting block B3 corresponding to the thirddisplay block I3 displaying the mixed image including the left eye imageand the right eye image. The light source driving part 450 turns on (ON)the first, second and fourth light-emitting blocks B1, B2 and B4.Therefore, light is not transmitted through the third segment S3 so thatthe so that the observer may not be able to view the mixed image.Thereby, crosstalk caused by the mixed image including the left eyeimage and the right eye image may be prevented and display quality maybe improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5E, the left eye image of the present frame isdisplayed on the first, second and third display blocks I1, I2 and I3,the mixed image including the left eye image of the present frame andthe right eye image of the previous frame is displayed on the fourthdisplay block I4.

The first, second, third and fourth segments S1, S2, S3 and S4 of thepolarization panel 310 are driven in the first polarization modecorresponding to the left eye image. The fourth segment S4 driven in thefirst polarization mode polarizes the mixed image including the righteye image and the left eye image.

At this time, the fourth light-emitting block B4 of the light sourceunit 410 is turned off. That is, the light source driving part 450 turnsoff (OFF) the fourth light-emitting block B4 corresponding to the fourthdisplay block I4 displaying the mixed image including the left eye imageand the right eye image. The light source driving part 450 turns on (ON)the first, second and third light-emitting blocks B1, B2 and B3.Therefore, light is not transmitted through the fourth segment S4 sothat the so that the observer may not be able to view the mixed image.Thereby, crosstalk caused by the mixed image including the left eyeimage and the right eye image may be prevented and display quality maybe improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5F, when the left eye image is displayed on anentire area of the display panel 210, the first, second, third andfourth segments S1, S2, S3 and S4 of the polarization panel 310 aredriven in the first polarization mode corresponding to the left eyeimage.

At this time, the light source driving part 450 turns on the first,second, third and fourth light-emitting blocks B1, B2, B3 and B4 of thelight source unit 410. When only the left eye image is displayed on thefirst, second, third and fourth display blocks I1, I2, I3 and I4, thefirst, second, third and fourth light-emitting blocks B1, B2, B3 and B4respectively corresponding to the first, second, third and fourthdisplay blocks I1, I2, I3 and I4, are all turned on.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, a light-emitting block is turned off corresponding to adisplay block displaying a mixed image including a left eye image and aright eye image, so that crosstalk caused by the mixed image may beprevented. Accordingly, the display quality of a 3D image may beimproved.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention asdefined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses areintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing isillustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed aslimited to the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed, and thatmodifications to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, as well as otherexemplary embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope ofthe appended claims. The present invention is defined by the followingclaims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for displaying a three-dimensionalimage, the method comprising: displaying a left eye image correspondingto a left eye and a right eye image corresponding to a right eye on adisplay panel; turning off a light emitting block of a light sourcemodule corresponding to a display block of the display panel when thedisplay block displays a mixed image which includes at least one lefteye image and at least one right eye image; turning on all of remaininglight emitting blocks corresponding to the display block of the displaypanel when the display block displays only one of the left eye image andthe right eye image; and driving a segment of a polarization paneldisposed on the display panel with one of a first polarization modehaving a first polarization axis and a second polarization mode having asecond polarization axis according to an image displayed on the displayblock, wherein, when the polarization panel is turned off, thepolarization panel is driven in the second polarization mode.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein when the display block displays the left eyeimage, the segment of the polarization panel is driven in the firstpolarization mode, and when the display block displays the right eyeimage, the segment of the polarization panel is driven in the secondpolarization mode, wherein the first polarization axis is substantiallydifferent than the second polarization axis.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein when the display block displays the mixed image, the segment ofthe polarization panel is driven in one of the first polarization modeand the second polarization mode.
 4. A display apparatus comprising: adisplay panel which includes a plurality of display blocks, wherein theplurality of display blocks display a left eye image corresponding to aleft eye and a right eye image corresponding to a right eye; a lightsource module which includes a plurality of light-emitting blocksgenerating a light, wherein the plurality of light-emitting blocksselectively emit the light provided to the plurality of display blocksand wherein at least one of the light-emitting blocks does not emit alight to a display block of the display panel when the display blockdisplays a mixed image including at least one left eye image and atleast one right eye image, and which provides the light to all ofremaining display blocks of the display panel when the display blockdisplays only one of the left eye image and the right eye image; and apolarization panel including a plurality of segments corresponding tothe plurality of display blocks, wherein each of the segments is drivenwith one of a first polarization mode and a second polarization modeaccording to an image displayed on the respective display block,wherein, when the polarization panel is turned off, the polarizationpanel is driven in the second polarization mode.
 5. The displayapparatus of claim 4, wherein when the display block displays the mixedimage, the segment is driven in one of the first polarization mode andthe second polarization mode.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 4,wherein a number of the light-emitting blocks is substantially the sameas a number of the segments.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 4,wherein the plurality of light-emitting blocks are sequentially arrangedin a scanning direction of an image on the display panel, and whereinthe plurality of segments are sequentially arranged in the scanningdirection of an image on the display panel.
 8. The display apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the first polarization mode has a first polarizationaxis and the second polarization mode has a second polarization axishaving a phase difference about λ/2 with respect to the firstpolarization axis.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein each ofthe plurality of light emitting blocks includes at least one lamp. 10.The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of lightemitting blocks includes at least one light-emitting diode.
 11. A methodfor displaying a three-dimensional image, the method comprising:displaying a left eye image corresponding to a left eye and a right eyeimage corresponding to a right eye on a display panel; generating afirst light to provide all of display blocks of a plurality of displayblocks of the display panel with the first light when the display blockseach display only one of the left eye image and the right eye image;generating a second light to provide a remaining display block of theplurality of display blocks of the display panel with the second lightwhen the display block displays a mixed image which includes at leastone left eye image and at least one right eye image; and providing thelight to the display block of the display panel when the display blockdisplays only one of the left eye image and the right eye image, drivinga segment of a polarization panel disposed on the display panel with oneof a first polarization mode having a first polarization axis and asecond polarization mode having a second polarization axis according toan image displayed on the display block, wherein the first lightcorresponds to an on-state of a light source module and the second lightcorresponds to an off-state of the light source module, and wherein,when the polarization panel is turned off, the polarization panel isdriven in the second polarization mode.